My Lil Sis is a College Graduate!

So, for all of you that didn't make it out to CSULB...Lisa graduated! It was a nice ceremony, but super long...especially when you're holding a bored, fussy baby. All things considering, Emily did pretty good sitting there for a few hours.

Of course, Lisa was THE ONE, the only one, who brought the beachballs, bubbles, poppies, confetti, etc. I thought FOR SURE that they were going to get in trouble. Especially because they forgot to allow Lisa's college walk! And, I thought they were being punished!

Yes, they did get to walk, but they thought they got everyone and went to close the ceremony until they realized that they forgot a whole college of about 1000 people! They apologized and everyone got to go up.

Good Job Lisa! Now off to do the Credential!!

Flying Dogs to Alaska

I know most of you had expressed concern with our travels and having Chloe & Bryndall with us in the car driving...for 8 hours straight...for three 3 weeks straight.

Well, we had been researching just how much it might cost to fly the dogs from California to Alaska. Chris contacted a company that handles your dog's flight and they quoted us, for both dogs:::: $2,250.00!!!

This is going to be WAY TOO MUCH for us to spend to get the "kids" to Alaska with us. I had seriously considered spending around $800, but 2 Grand!!! - No -

It seems that because they'll need to travel and/or have a layover in Canada (INTERNATIONAL) this is the reason for the extremely high cost! There are rules and regulations for taking your dogs into a foreign country, and all of the "possibilities" are included within the cost quoted. On a side note, this opened up another can of worms because we never gave any thought to "entering another country" -- there is so much more to think about now!

Yes, it will be difficult driving the nearly 4,000 miles to Alaska with a very full car (2 adults, 1 baby, and 2 dogs) - But, I couldn't imagine living the next 3 years without my entire family by my side. Besides, who would protect me & Em while Chris is away?!?! Yes, I know Chloe is a big baby, but little Bryndall's bark will scare any one...or any thing...away! Both of those dogs would look forward to spending as much time as possible in the outdoors and they will do GREAT up there.

The road trip isn't going to be easy, and it may be difficult to find hotels that allow dogs...but, maybe it won't...maybe there are more hotels out there than we think!! The last 5 months have been an extremely difficult time for all of us, so...what's another 3 weeks?!?! If it doesn't kill us it will make us stronger!

So, to sum it up...The dogs will be driving to Alaska with us in the car.

Back in San Diego

As you all know, Chris is finishing up his admin paperwork in San Diego and today they were doing training for a mechanic...well, Chris got to jump from the helicopter into 3 foot seas off the San Diego shore. He free-fell four times and got lowered down from the helo twice...a total of 6 times into the Pacific Ocean!! What a rush!!!

Emily's 1st Haircut

Ok, so maybe it's a "trim" but it's still her first!! Her bangs were getting so long and they were in her eyes, so Lisa and I went ahead and gave them a little trim. She looks more like a "little girl" now, and not so much a "baby."

** But, now you can more clearly see those beautiful blue eyes!! **

Chris' Graduation from AST School

So, yes, I am finally getting an opportunity to blog about this! Chris graduated from AST School!! He is #742 to graduate from this class!! It has been a long five months, but gosh did they go by so fast!!

We had a nice, quick trip to North Carolina. Lisa, Emily, Mike and I were there for his graduation.

This is an amazing accomplishment and we are all EXTREMELY PROUD of Chris!!

My 1st Mother's Day

So, normally my blog posts are about Emily or Chris...rarely do I ever write about myself. Today is an exception - Today was my 1st Mother's Day. Let me start off by saying...I feel so much older now!!

We had a nice Mother's Day FULL of family events, and I am looking forward to many more to come!

AST SCHOOL